STARS PlatinumPhiladelphia, PA (August 23, 2017) – Stanford University earned a Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System (STARS) Platinum rating in recognition of its sustainability achievements, making it one of only two higher education institutions in the world to reach this milestone. Stanford’s report is publicly available on the STARS website.

STARS measures and encourages sustainability in all aspects of higher education and is a signature program of the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE).

“This accomplishment highlights all the great sustainability work happening at Stanford University,” said AASHE Executive Director Meghan Fay Zahniser. “We are proud to recognize this substantial commitment to advance sustainability at Stanford and in the surrounding community.”

This STARS Platinum-rated report is the institution’s fourth submission and represents Stanford’s strong foundation as an institution with a comprehensive and collaborative approach to sustainability. Recent advancements that helped propel Stanford to STARS Platinum include the installation of solar panels at 15 sites on campus in March 2017 and the launch of the 67 MW off-campus Stanford Solar Generating Station (SSGS) in December 2016. In the last year, Stanford has also expanded student, staff, and faculty engagement opportunities in sustainability through the My Cardinal Green Platform, which launched in May 2017 to encourage individual action in environmental conservation. The university has seen continual increases in the number of sustainability courses and sustainable living opportunities offered on campus.

Launched in 2009, STARS was developed by the higher education community through a transparent and inclusive process. With over 800 participants spanning six continents, STARS is the most widely recognized framework for publicly reporting comprehensive information related to higher education sustainability performance. Participating institutions report achievements in academics, campus & community engagement, operations and planning & administration.

In line with AASHE’s rigorous review protocol for STARS Platinum-rated reports, AASHE staff reviewed the entire contents of Stanford University’s submission prior to publication to ensure that credit criteria and intent were met. Stanford’s STARS report is coordinated and submitted by the Office of Sustainability, with support from over 70 campus partners.  

About the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE)
AASHE empowers higher education administrators, faculty, staff and students to be effective change agents and drivers of sustainability innovation. AASHE enables members to translate information into action by offering essential resources and professional development to a diverse, engaged community of sustainability leaders. We work with and for higher education to ensure that our world’s future leaders are motivated and equipped to solve sustainability challenges. For more information, visit www.aashe.org. Follow AASHE on Facebook and Twitter.

For more information about the STARS program, visit stars.aashe.org.

About Stanford University:
Stanford University is one of the world’s leading research universities. Stanford is known for its entrepreneurial character, drawn from the legacy of its founders, Jane and Leland Stanford, and its relationship to Silicon Valley. Research and teaching emphasize interdisciplinary approaches to problem solving. Areas of excellence range from the humanities and social sciences to engineering and the physical sciences. Stanford is located in California’s Bay Area, one of the most intellectually dynamic and culturally diverse areas of the nation. For more information, please visit http://facts.stanford.edu/.

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